Yego admits fitness fears but nerved for London

Julius Yego, the African and Commonwealth champion competes in the Javelin throw men final during the National Police Service Athletics Championships at the Nyayo national stadium on May 18, 2017. Photo/Oliver/ Ananda /www.sportpicha.com

World javelin champion Julius Yego assured he will hit peak form in time for the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London after cruising to victory at the at the Kenya Police Service Championships on Thursday.

The Olympics silver medalist who was representing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) was largely unrivaled at the Nyayo National Stadium as the competitions wound down but is aware a stiffer challenge awaits him in August at the British capital.

It has been over nine months since a limping Yego retired from the Rio Olympics after suffering from an ankle injury and while he has yet to achieve his best form since, the 28-year-old admitted he is finding his rhythm back.

“The season has not been that good but training is okay. Technically I have not yet picked up everything well, but I’m sure I will do so in no time. We are only in May so it’s still very early; I have two months to be in great shape for the worlds,” Yego told Citizen Digital.

Yego added his third throw of 78.4m that earned him top podium place at the KPS championships will be a source of encouragement. He reiterated that was a pointer of how well his body is responding given it was only his second competition this year.

That throw was, nonetheless, 3.54m shorter than that he recorded in his season opener in Doha, Qatar during the IAAF Diamond League.

“The Germans are doing great led by Thomas Rőhler (93.94) and we have about four guys who have 80 and above. The competition this year is going to be crazy and one ought to prepare well.

“Though Thomas is the favourite and the man to beat this season remember in a championship anything can happen. My aim is not to compete with the distance Rőhler has after all I have 92.72. My aim is to pick up perfectly well just before the world championships,” Yego underscored.

Rio Olympics 3000m steeplechase silver medalist Hyvin Kiyeng hopes to successfully defend her world title although she will be wary of the tough competition posed by her compatriots and from naturalised Kenyan athletes.

World Cross country bronze medalist Lilian Kasait put up a 15:36.3 winning time to run away with the 5,000m women’s title leaving Kiyeng 14 seconds adrift. Jackline Cherotich of the General Service Unit (GSU) settled for third place in 16:03.5.

“I came here to work on my endurance and did not want to strain very much since I have not rested enough after Shangai Diamond League,” Kiyeng said.

The 10,000m men’s finals was another crowd pulling event which attracted top marathon runners including newly crowned London Champion Daniel Wanjiru and world 5,000m silver medalist Caleb Mwangangi who was also working on his endurance.

The day, however, belong to Vincent Rono who had the fastest time of 28:10.1 in the two heats race followed by Peter Kirui (28:29.1) and former world junior silver medalist Mathew Kisorio(28:35.4).

Focus now shifts to the national championships slated for June 8-10 to see if they will get an invite for the World Championships trials later that month.